Tricia Christiansen

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL, CHRISTIANSEN CREATIVE, HUDSON WI

Tricia Christiansen is Creative Director and Principal of Christiansen Creative. Since 2002, Christiansen Creative has grown from a solo endeavor into a fourteen-person team working in a renovated church. Their work ranges from launching small brands to executing full campaigns. As the team has grown, so has their reputation of doing good work and work that creates good. Focused on creating positive change, Tricia partners with organizations looking to improve their communities. Christiansen Creative has been published in several books and has been honored with awards from AIGA Minnesota, Communication Arts, HOW, MarCom Awards, GDUSA and more. When not designing, Tricia gives of her time and talent often, and in as many ways as possible.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Raised and currently live in Hudson WI, four blocks from the studio.

DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I have BFA from Drake University and loved the program.

LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty all the way, unless I’m holding my phone.

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Both. Who needs sleep?

FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Fictional is Buffy the Vampire Slayer while historical is Eleanor Roosevelt

ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I sing terribly to my kids and play oboe with my daughter.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Twilight Zone, with the lights off.

LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Rereading for the holiday season: Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

ANY PETS?
I always have dogs, always. Right now I have two-under-two that attack me with love every time I enter a room. It’s phenomenal.

WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
Only English. I massacre a few others.

FAVORITE MOVIE?
Star Wars: A New Hope because … nostalgia.

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Jasper Johns

FAVORITE CHARITY?
MyBellis.org This is our decade long probing client that advocates for adoption awareness.

FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Big breaks are for travel, little breaks are for being a local tourist. What’s the

WHAT’S THE LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
You could be a Disney villain. (Eyebrows)

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Books, art supplies, and dogs.

COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
100K

TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Swiss

DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
Paul Rand

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
I love to say yes and I’m very impatient. Let’s go, go, go!

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Learn from your mistakes, but don’t let them define you.

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Painter and professional wine drinker